Yes, we were clinical but we dominated and fully deserved the victory, a victory that with all the conditions is massive for us, because we had one day less than them to prepare. To show the energy that we showed today was fantastic. I'm very pleased, it makes us very happy. It showed the belief and that we are in a very good direction this season trying to achieve the thing that we want.

Why do you think the team is playing better despite having less time to prepare for matches?

I think it's the mix we have on the pitch. We rotate a lot in the last few weeks. I think they deserve it because the squad has the belief in the way that we play, has the belief that we can win games and play well and when we rotate I think we are increasing the competitive level. I think we are showing that we can keep that level. That is a massive challenge for the rest of the season, to be competitive and to keep the energy and quality on the pitch and it's going to be a massive challenge for us.

One of the players you brought in - Kyle Walker-Peters - had three assists in the first half, what did you make of his performance?

It's no surprise to me. I told you after the match in Barcelona that we really believe in him and he has amazing quality and only needs time to mature and show his quality. I'm so pleased, so happy because I think his quality is going to help the team this season and for the future he's going to be a very important player for Tottenham.

Did you have to speak to him after Barcelona, because he made that mistake although he recovered in the game?

Not really, because this type of thing happens in football. The first person who knows that very well is the players, to come in after and try to make sure that that situation meant a lot to you there is no point. I think the most important thing is not to talk to too much about this type of situation afterwards and not only a young player but a senior player too. It's for us a mistake that is part of the game. When a player makes a mistake it's not important for us. What's important is that you try afterwards. If you try and you play and you don't think about the mistake you make, that's the most important thing for us. The problem is when you make a mistake and you are thinking about that mistake and you don't play the football in the game. That is the way we need to work with the players. For us they need to make the mistake because football is about making mistakes. That is the way we try to manage the squad and the players.

Christian Eriksen celebrates with Kyle Walker-Peters

Son scored two goals again, how do you assess his form?

Amazing.

Can you tell me a little bit more?

Two words. Un-believable. What can I say, Sonny is doing a fantastic job for the team. After November he had a rest and was here trying to recover his best and I think he is doing fantastic. He started his fantastic run against Chelsea and until today he is doing a fantastic job for the team. I hope he can keep that level but you know in few weeks he is going to be away from Tottenham because he needs to go with his national team to Dubai to play the Asian Cup.

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You are now second in the league, at the start of the season there have been so many conditions which could have made it difficult. You are making a lot of us look silly with our predictions. Why have your players coped well with all the distractions?

From the beginning it was normal to have a different opinion in football because if you see the history, all the clubs tried to improve in the summer and it is no point a team like Tottenham that finished in the top four last season not sign players. It's not because you look silly, that was a normal opinion and we accept that opinion. But when you take the decision you need to be positive and you need to try to give your best to the team. One thing that we have is the belief in the squad, all of them young or senior players. We always believe that we can improve and always believe that we can learn.

In six months we never complain about anything. We no complain about no signings, we no complain about the stadium, we no complain about the fixture, we no complain about come to play at Wembley when the plan was to play in the new stadium and the pitch because Wembley was booked for the season, the fans very disappointed - many, many things. But one thing we have kept is the belief and been positive, we created a bubble and now that is paying (off) and we are I think in that position because we work a lot.

First of all the players, they really believe in what we proposed to work and to play and of course all the staff and the areas of the club deserve credit. Still we are halfway of the season, but to break records like the best first half in the Premier League and many things that can make us very proud. Of course the opinion, if we go back six months ago, was a normal opinion that I totally agree or accept that opinion.

Mauricio Pochettino

What do you make of the Sissoko and Winks midfield partnership?

I think it is difficult to say nothing wrong. They are playing so well, enjoying football and the mix between them is fantastic. They are working together very well and the team is getting the benefit of this partnership.

Are you surprised at being second and having turned it around so quickly from being fifth?

I think to be honest we keep our way. I wasn't negative in that moment [when we were fifth] eight weeks ago and now I am trying to keep the balance with my emotion. I think in the way we work, we believe and we try always is in the end that work pays back. We are so happy but [it has] not surprised me because always we are focused on us, never the opponent. We are happy because we are in a good position, but to be honest it doesn't mean too much to us to be second or third, or first, I think the most important thing is where you finish in May.

How much belief does being second give the squad?

First of all, if we are there it is because we have amazing belief. The players deserve massive credit because without belief it is impossible to be where we are today. We have faith, clear ideas and of course now the challenge is to keep that level and try to increase. When you are there you start to show your face, everyone wants to kill you and of course it is tougher when you are higher. But of course, we need to keep in the same way; humble, working hard and knowing that each game is going to be tougher than the one before. If we are capable at the end to keep our level, maybe we can talk at the end of the season that we are real challengers but today is so early to talk about if we are or not real contenders for the title.

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